NO
SECRET.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
453
Sir,
HONGKONG.
C. 17964
21 SEP 1926
15th August, 1926.
With a view to finding out the true attitude
of Marshal Sun Ch'uan-fang in relation to the civil
wars now in progress in northern, central and southern
China, Sir Shouson Chow telegraphed on the 7th August to Mr. Liang Shih-yi, who (as you will remember) was
appointed Premier of Chine under the influence of Marshal Chang Tso-lin in December, 1921, but was rejected
by Marshal u P'ei-fu. Mr. Liang is believed still to
enjoy the confidence of Marshal Chang and, as he lives
in Peking and Tientsin, he is likely to have up-to-date
information. He is a close personal friend of Sir
Shouson Chow, whose telegram to him read:-
"Please ascertain the true attitude of
*Sun Ch'uan-fang, whether he is inclined towards "North or South, and if he has mobilized his troops." Mr. Liang replied from Tientsin on the 11th August:-
2.
"In appearance inclined towards North. Still "watching events."
Sir Shouson Chow and Dr. Kotewall also received on the 12th August a visit from Mr. Lan Wan-pak, who
-HE RIGHT HONQUTABLE
LIEUTENANT COLONEL L.C.M.S. AMERY, M.P.,
&C.,
&c.,
&c.
has